H1 to H4 Now Playing Cross-Ice Games

The goal of cross-ice hockey is to make a skater's first contact with hockey a safe and positive experience. It's a structured, learn-to-play approach designed to introduce beginners to the game's basic skills. It enables participants to become contributing members of a team effort, develop self-confidence, and experience a sense of personal achievement. These goals are achieved in an atmosphere of fun and fair play.

H1 to H4 Cross-Ice Regulations

Cross-Ice hockey is defined as playing hockey across the 85 feet width of the ice surface, as compared to playing lengthways along the full 200 foot length of the ice surface. This is a developmental tool used by many of the leading hockey nations in the world. It has been demonstrated to increase puck possession time for each player, result in quicker development of individual technical skills, increase ice time, increase the tempo of the game for all players, increase player creativity and improve "hockey sense", or understanding of the principles of the game. The goal is to improve player development while ensuring an exciting and fun environment for the players.

What a Regular Ice Surface Looks Like to a Child

To demonstrate how a full sheet of ice looks to a child, USA Hockey put adult players on an extra large rink with giant nets to simulate what a child sees. The players found the games tiring, difficult and said they would lose interest quickly in the sport if that was what they faced. See how adult players opened their eyes to what is being taught by the American Development Model of cross-ice hockey and small-area games.